Present Realities, Available Provisions, Future Hopes
It's important for us — we who have Such a Great Salvation through Jesus Christ — to be able to differentiate between the various, "things that have been freely given to us of God."
Present Realtities — Some things you have in Christ are Present Realities. Right now you are a new creation in Christ. Right now you are born of God and have a new heart. Right now you have been washed and cleansed. Right now you are a son of God. Right now the Holy Spirit lives in you. Right now, God is your Father. Right now you are redeemed and reconciled to God. Right now you have right standing with God.
Available Provisions — Some things you have because of the work of Christ are Available Provisions. God's wisdom, for example, is available. James said that you can ask for it and receive it. But being wise isn't a present reality. You could be a born again, Spirit filled fool. Wisdom isn't automatic; it's available. Strengthening Grace is another Available Provision. It isn't automatic, but it is available. You can go to the throne of grace and "find grace to help in your time of need." You can "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." But, you might also be a born again, Spirit filled weakling. Strengthening Grace is an Available Provision, but it's not a Present Reality for some. Divine Direction is also an Available Provision. You might or might not have it. But it is available. So ask for it!
Future Hopes —Some things you have through Christ are Future Hopes. They are "legally" yours in Christ, but you cannot have them right now. They will not be a Present Reality for you till the Future. For example, Jesus purchased for you a completely powerful, and incorruptible, immortal Resurrection Body. That body is legally yours - but you can't have it now. It is a Future Hope. There is what Paul called, "an inheritance laid up in heaven for you." That inheritance is legally yours. But you can't have it now. These Future Hopes will only come into manifestation at the end of time when ALL that Jesus wrought will finally come into full manifestation.
It will be Very Helpful for you in your life of faith to be able to distinguish between these "things" that you have in Christ so that you can know if something is a Present Reality and already part of your life, if it is an Available Provision - it is available to you, but not automatically part of your life, or if it is a Future Hope and you will have to wait patiently for it.
